Sunny Moore Times Four

Love You Forever

Sunny,

I can't believe the sixth grade is over already. These have been the best few months of my life. I hope we can stay together next year. You mean so much to me. I'll love you forever. Xoxo

-Leo

"I'll love you forever. Oh, puh-lease!" Rosie said, peering at my yearbook signatures as we sat in the noisy cafeteria of Pine Crest Middle School. "You two have only been together for five months!"

"Hey, that's a pretty long time!" I said.

Rosie rolled her eyes and huffed. "You guys are twelve. There's no way you guys even know what real love is. We're too young."

"I'm sure we'll figure it out in time," I said, closing my yearbook and hugging it to my chest. "But Leo says he loves me, and my twelve-year-old self loves him back."

The rest of the girls at my lunch table started to giggle. All the kids, and even all the teachers, knew that middle-school relationships didn't last, no matter how much you tried to deny it. But I didn't care. There was something special about the relationship I had with Leonardo Cavelli.

* * *

Sunny,

Wow, another year of middle school in the books. Only one more to go before we can finally get out of here! You make every day in this place bearable. I'm so glad we met and fell for each other. I'll love you forever, my Sunshine. Xoxo

-Leo

"You know, I guess you could say that you told me so," Rosie said, her tongue purple from her grape popsicle. "I think you two have the longest relationship in Pine Crest Middle School history."

"Almost a year and a half, and we're still going strong!" I said, putting my yearbook into my backpack.

"We sure are!" Leo said, putting his arm around me.

I hugged him back, hoping we really would stay together forever.

* * *

My beautiful Sunshine,

We did it! We survived middle school! Now all we have to do is survive four years of high school...and the entire rest of our lives, but I know we'll make it. Every day with you is amazing. I can't wait for the future. As always, I'll love you forever. Xoxo

-Leo

"Do you guys think you'll survive the first year of high-school? It's a totally different world up there at OFH," Rosie said, enjoying a slice of pizza at our eighth grade end of year party.

I shrugged, closing my yearbook. "We made it this far. Why wouldn't we?" I turned and looked up at Leo. "Every day, I love you a little more."

"Same here," he said.

* * *

My sweet Sunshine,

What a year! In a big school, I can't believe we lucked out and got two classes together. We dissected a frog, we almost failed gym, and we had more laughs than I can count. I can't believe we've been together for over three years. Here's to (at least) a gazillion more. Xoxo

-Leo

"You guys are turning out to be one of the greatest love stories I've ever seen," Rosie said as she propped herself up in her hospital bed.

"And you're gonna have the best comeback ever!" I said, taking my yearbook back from her. "You'll be back on your feet in no time!"

"I have stage four cancer, Sunny. Lots of people don't come back from that. Most of them, actually."

"Nah, you will." I closed my yearbook. "You just have to stay positive. And this time next year, you'll be all better and making fun of the next mushy thing Leo writes in my yearbook. These new chemo drugs they're giving you are gonna work. I can feel it."

She smiled. "Your name fits you so well. You really are a ray of Sunshine."

* * *

My Sunshine,

How are we already halfway done with high school? I think we're getting old. We met in sixth grade, and now we're sixteen. Can't wait to work together at camp this summer. It's gonna be so awesome. Hopefully you don't fall on your face like you did at the track meet. Not really looking forward to junior year, but I always look forward to another year with you! Love you forever, of course. Xoxo

-Leo

"I'm not gonna say it," Rosie said, putting a hat over her bald head.

"I told you so," I said, a big smile coming across my face.

"Okay Rosie, you can come with me," said the nurse in the doorway.

"Sunny, thanks for being here for me through this whole thing. I can't thank you enough. I know we've been friends for a while, but I think you're one of the greatest people I've ever met," Rosie said. "There's something special about you."

"Are you kidding? Look in the mirror. You're a lot more amazing than me, Rosie!" I said.

We stopped at a corner of the hall that was filled with nurses and clinical staff. Rosie's mom took out her phone as my best friend rang the bell attached to the wall, signifying the completion of her last round of chemo.

* * *

My perfect Sunshine,

I think I need a nap after all that. We've been through so much over the past five and a half years. It's been a long, crazy road together. Now, there's only one year left of high school. The future of applying to colleges is a little scary, but I think we'll make it through. Thanks again for being the best girlfriend a guy could possibly ask for. I don't think there's a more loving or supportive person on the face of the earth. Cheers to our very last year of school! Again, as always, love you forever. Xoxo

-Leo

"I don't know how I'm gonna tell him," I said.

"Sunny, you've been together since you were twelve. You've literally grown up together," Rosie said.

"We're still technically kids, but I know what you mean."
"Exactly. You guys have been through so much. This will just be another bump in the road for you to navigate together...a literal bump," she said, chuckling and trying to make light of the situation.

"I feel like after all this time, my positivity is finally rubbing off on you," I said.

Rosie chuckled, "I guess. After all this time, it makes sense that I can finally be here for you."

"Thanks. I know I'll be okay, but I'm just a little bit nervous."

"Rightfully so," Rosie said. "You're seventeen and pregnant. That's definitely something to be nervous about."

***

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